All patients begin HAART at study entry (Day 1). Patients with a plasma HIV-1 RNA level less than or equal to 2,000 copies/ml at Week 8 are randomized to receive Remune or Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA) at Week 9. Patients who do not achieve a plasma HIV-1 RNA level of less than or equal to 2,000 copies/ml at Week 8 are not randomized and are terminated from the study. These patients are eligible to receive funding for up to a 3-month supply of nelfinavir (Viracept) and Combivir. Randomized patients receive Remune or IFA at Week 9 and approximately every 12 weeks thereafter until study completion (when the last patient reaches Week 48). Patients are considered virologic failures if they (1) fail to achieve a virologic response by Week 48 or (2) after achieving a virologic response, have a virologic relapse. Regardless of their previous response status, patients whose plasma HIV-1 RNA level increases to greater than 2,000 copies/ml while they are receiving protocol-specified HAART are eligible to receive salvage therapy and continue to receive Remune or IFA until study completion. Study visits occur at screening, Day 1, Weeks 4, 8, 9, 12, and then every 4 weeks thereafter until the last patient reaches Week 48. Patients who complete this study are eligible to participate in a rollover study.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

13 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Patients may be eligible for this study if they:

Are HIV-positive.

Are at least 13 years old (consent of parent or guardian required if under 18).

Have a viral load of at least 10,000 copies/ml.

Have a CD4 count of at least 250 cells/mm3.

Have never taken any anti-HIV drugs before.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00005002